If chives only make an appearance on your menu as a topping with cream cheese on a baked potato, then you really need to read this.
Aside from having a sweet, mild-onion flavor, chives are a nutritious addition to your diet, providing a good dose of allicin – also found in onions and garlic. Allicin has been linked to fantastic health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, and contributing to lowered blood pressure as well. But that’s not all, these stiff, hollow, tubular leaves have so much more to offer.
Vitamin Boost
Vitamin A – chives have more vitamin A than any other member of the allium family. Just 100g of chives packs around 145% of the daily-recommended levels.
Chives are one of the best dietary sources of Vitamin K. Studies suggest that vitamin K has a role in bone health, by strengthening bones and promoting bone formation. Vitamin K has also been found to limit damage to brain neurons, and is great for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Chives also offer a high Vitamin C content as well as other B-complex vitamins, as well as vital vitamins such as pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin.
Mineral found in chives include copper, iron, manganese, zinc and calcium.
Vitamin Boost
The high concentrations of antioxidants means that chives are great at reducing free radicals and inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells.
High in Fibre and Healthy Gut
Just 100g of fresh chives provides only 30 calories, and 7% of daily recommended levels of fibre.
Chives have also been known to combat against bad bacteria, yeast and fungus in the gastrointestinal tract to ensure that your gut is working optimally.
High in Fibre and Healthy Gut
We’ve mentioned the cholesterol and blood pressure reducing powers of allicin, but allicin has also been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal activities. Allicin helps decrease the overall risk of coronary artery disease, blood clots and strokes.
Get your seeds here, and grow your very own organic chives:
